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Effects of large-scale anthropogenic development on juvenile lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) populations of Bimini, Bahamas

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Abstract

The waters around Bimini (25° 43.70′ N, 79° 18.00′ W) provide an ideal nursery location for juvenile lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris, but this habitat is threatened by the development of a large resort. Since 1999 the North Sound (NS) has been subjected to intermittent periods of dredging, the most intensive of which was in March 2001. Possible effects from the development up to June 2006 were investigated by: comparing growth rates of juvenile lemon sharks in the NS, Sharkland (SL) and South Bimini (SB) nurseries between 1995-2005 using before-after, control-impact (BACI) analysis; analyzing survival of juvenile lemon sharks in the NS and SL between 1995–2006; and by comparing habitat structures in the NS and SB nurseries in 2003 and 2005. BACI analysis detected no statistically significant difference between the growth rates of juvenile lemon sharks in the three nurseries before and after the impact date of March 2001. However, a reduction in the survival rate of juvenile lemon sharks in the NS after March 2001 was statistically significant, including a 23.5% decline in first-year survival. Habitat structure of the NS in 2003 and 2005 also varied with the mean percentage cover of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum declining by 17.7% since 2003. Our results indicate a correlation between the development thus far and a decline in the survival rates of juvenile lemon sharks and changes in the habitat structure of the NS. To elucidate further information regarding potential effects of the resort development on juvenile lemon sharks in the NS nursery, we suggest several future research directions.

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Acknowledgements

We dedicate this paper to the many volunteers who helped to collect the data presented here, and we thank M. Drake, K. Feldheim, T. Calver, A. Grant, S. Newman, K. Parsons, M. Partyka, J. Randall, G. Johnson and K. Grudecki for running the field operation. We are grateful to C. Higgs and M. Braynen, Directors of the Bahamas Department of Fisheries, for issuing a scientific permit in support of our research. We also thank the people of Bimini, especially P. Duncombe and the Bimini bonefishermen. The study was made possible with financial support from the Bimini Biological Field Station, Earthwatch Institute, National Science Foundation (NSF-OCE 97-12793), PADI Project Aware, Florida Department of Education (FLORIDA 8749703000001), R. Mann and L. Hoover, the Hoover Foundation and T. and T. Fujino. We gratefully acknowledge the following corporate support: M. Aiello, owner of Davey Marine; the late D. Schaad of Mercury Division, Brunswick Corporation; Destron-Fearing Corporation, especially S. Casey; M. O’Brian, President, Bimini Island Air; and Pelican Products. We are also grateful to T. Raffel and the Rohr Ecology Lab at USF, P. Shaw, D. Noakes and three anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions regarding this manuscript.

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  1. David E. Jennings

    Present address: Department of Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human and Life Sciences, Roehampton University, Holybourne Avenue, London, SW15 4JD, UK

    David E. Jennings & Anne L. Robertson

  2. Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbecker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149, USA

    Samuel H. Gruber

  3. Bimini Biological Field Station, Bimini, Bahamas

    Samuel H. Gruber & Steven T. Kessel

  4. Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Bryan R. Franks

  5. School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3EY, UK

    Steven T. Kessel

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  1. David E. Jennings
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Correspondence to David E. Jennings.

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Jennings, D.E., Gruber, S.H., Franks, B.R. et al. Effects of large-scale anthropogenic development on juvenile lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) populations of Bimini, Bahamas. Environ Biol Fish 83, 369–377 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-008-9357-3

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